Bill could increase number of downtown Ocala events with alcohol

Published: Wednesday, March 12, 2014 at 5:14 p.m.

Last Modified: Thursday, March 13, 2014 at 9:09 a.m.

Festival promoters hoping to boost attendance at events in downtown Ocala, and city officials seeking to highlight the city’s core, may get help from a bill now working its way through the state Legislature.

State Sen. Charlie Dean and Rep. Charlie Stone recently introduced bills that could increase how frequently alcohol can be sold at events sponsored by nonprofit civic groups and held in the city’s downtown Community Redevelopment Area.

Current state law restricts civic organizations to a maximum of three temporary alcohol sales permits a year. The licenses run for up to three days and are obtained from the state Division of Alcoholic Beverages and Tobacco with documents showing approval from local government and a $25 fee.

The bills offered by Dean, R-Inverness, and Stone, R-Ocala, who both represent western Marion County, would add an additional 15 times a year that nonprofit groups could obtain short-term licenses for alcohol sales at outdoor events.

The measures would only affect the city of Ocala. The Senate version of the bill has been referred to committee. The House version still awaits committee assignment.

According to Janie Pope, the city’s Central Business District program manager, city staffers developed the idea for increasing the number of permits after more inquiries about regional events and festivals flowed in. The idea of a bike fest, for example, was raised, among others, she said. From that, the concert series was launched.

Last October, the City Council adopted a resolution in support of the plan. The document noted that since 2008 the Legislature had passed bills allowing seven other Florida municipalities to increase the number of alcohol sales permits that could be obtained by the cities themselves or by nonprofit civic groups.

The council also announced that with the “Feel Downtown LIVE” concert series, which last weekend kicked off for 2014 with a performance by rocker Eddie Money, and other cultural events, it seeks to market Ocala as Central Florida’s premier music venue.

Yet, the resolution says, capping the number of alcohol sales permits at three does not suffice for Ocala’s attempt to develop a “destination city marketing program.”

Moreover, the push to bring “national caliber” acts to town can often be a budget buster, the resolution states. So, increased alcohol sales could help offset the cost of such productions.

And besides, the council pointed out in the resolution, “offering adults an option to enjoy an alcohol beverage while listening to entertainment is often a normal expectation.”

“With the implementation of the ‘Feel Downtown LIVE’ concert series by the city, and increasing event activity downtown by outside organizations, this bill would allow for more flexibility for the number of events an organization could host in one year,” Pope explained in an email.

“Additionally, there is a certain expectation, a certain experience, that is anticipated with a particular style of event — festivals, concerts, etc.” Pope added.

“To achieve the quality of place and truly promote downtown Ocala as a regional destination it is imperative that we continue to elevate the quality of that experience. This bill directly impacts our ability to do so.”

The bill, if passed, would take effect upon signing by Gov. Rick Scott.

However, the Division of Alcoholic Beverages and Tobacco would have until Oct. 1 to write the rules by which the process would be carried out.

Pope said the city is not seeking to create a perception that alcohol is critical to such festivals. She pointed out that a majority of city-hosted events — such as Red White & Blues, Downtown Summer Jams and Light Up Ocala — do not feature alcohol sales.

“We are merely trying to ensure that should the opportunity present itself for a nonprofit to host multiple events downtown in a year, they are not discouraged because of the existing three-day permit rule,” Pope said. “Our goal is not to create 15 new alcohol-driven events, but to merely encourage outside organizations to host quality, city-approved events without their options being limited by the state.”

<p>Festival promoters hoping to boost attendance at events in downtown Ocala, and city officials seeking to highlight the city's core, may get help from a bill now working its way through the state Legislature.</p><p>State Sen. Charlie Dean and Rep. Charlie Stone recently introduced bills that could increase how frequently alcohol can be sold at events sponsored by nonprofit civic groups and held in the city's downtown Community Redevelopment Area.</p><p>Current state law restricts civic organizations to a maximum of three temporary alcohol sales permits a year. The licenses run for up to three days and are obtained from the state Division of Alcoholic Beverages and Tobacco with documents showing approval from local government and a $25 fee.</p><p>The bills offered by Dean, R-Inverness, and Stone, R-Ocala, who both represent western Marion County, would add an additional 15 times a year that nonprofit groups could obtain short-term licenses for alcohol sales at outdoor events.</p><p>The measures would only affect the city of Ocala. The Senate version of the bill has been referred to committee. The House version still awaits committee assignment.</p><p>According to Janie Pope, the city's Central Business District program manager, city staffers developed the idea for increasing the number of permits after more inquiries about regional events and festivals flowed in. The idea of a bike fest, for example, was raised, among others, she said. From that, the concert series was launched.</p><p>Last October, the City Council adopted a resolution in support of the plan. The document noted that since 2008 the Legislature had passed bills allowing seven other Florida municipalities to increase the number of alcohol sales permits that could be obtained by the cities themselves or by nonprofit civic groups.</p><p>The council also announced that with the “Feel Downtown LIVE” concert series, which last weekend kicked off for 2014 with a performance by rocker Eddie Money, and other cultural events, it seeks to market Ocala as Central Florida's premier music venue.</p><p>Yet, the resolution says, capping the number of alcohol sales permits at three does not suffice for Ocala's attempt to develop a “destination city marketing program.”</p><p>Moreover, the push to bring “national caliber” acts to town can often be a budget buster, the resolution states. So, increased alcohol sales could help offset the cost of such productions.</p><p>And besides, the council pointed out in the resolution, “offering adults an option to enjoy an alcohol beverage while listening to entertainment is often a normal expectation.”</p><p>“With the implementation of the 'Feel Downtown LIVE' concert series by the city, and increasing event activity downtown by outside organizations, this bill would allow for more flexibility for the number of events an organization could host in one year,” Pope explained in an email.</p><p>“Additionally, there is a certain expectation, a certain experience, that is anticipated with a particular style of event — festivals, concerts, etc.” Pope added.</p><p>“To achieve the quality of place and truly promote downtown Ocala as a regional destination it is imperative that we continue to elevate the quality of that experience. This bill directly impacts our ability to do so.”</p><p>The bill, if passed, would take effect upon signing by Gov. Rick Scott.</p><p>However, the Division of Alcoholic Beverages and Tobacco would have until Oct. 1 to write the rules by which the process would be carried out.</p><p>Pope said the city is not seeking to create a perception that alcohol is critical to such festivals. She pointed out that a majority of city-hosted events — such as Red White & Blues, Downtown Summer Jams and Light Up Ocala — do not feature alcohol sales.</p><p>“We are merely trying to ensure that should the opportunity present itself for a nonprofit to host multiple events downtown in a year, they are not discouraged because of the existing three-day permit rule,” Pope said. “Our goal is not to create 15 new alcohol-driven events, but to merely encourage outside organizations to host quality, city-approved events without their options being limited by the state.”</p><p><i>Contact Bill Thompson at 867-4117 or at bill.thompson@ocala.com.</i></p>